Indiana AgrAbility Project To Host Two-Day Workshop For Veterans At Purdue University

Staff Report

Disabled military veterans interested in an agricultural career can find some help in doing so through the Breaking New Ground Outreach Program offered through Purdue Extension.

A workshop at Purdue University’s Breaking New Ground Resource Center is scheduled for November 7-8 to provide opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship and enrichment.

The establishment of the Breaking New Ground Resource Center in 1979 came after an Indiana farmer approached the Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department at Purdue University for help modifying his tractor so he could continue farming his land after encountering severe disabilities. Today, the center is an internationally recognized source of information on assisting technology for agricultural work sites.

The vision of the AgrAbility project is to enable a high quality lifestyle for farmers, ranchers and agricultural workers and their families affected by disabilities. Through education and assistance, the program helps to eliminate or minimize obstacles that inhibit success in production occupations.

The November workshop is designed for veterans interested in agriculture and for professionals who work with veterans. Disabilities served include spinal cord and back injuries, arthritis, stroke, respiratory impairment, amputation, visual impairment, hearing impairment, head injury and disabilities due to disease.

The BNG Resource Center produces research-based resources related to disability in agriculture and rural life including topics such as work site modifications, adaptive tools, improving access to FFA and 4-H programs, rural business accessibility, rural assisting technology and alternative enterprises.

The center also performs onsite visits, providing agricultural work site assessments, recommendations for home modifications, relevant resource materials, referrals to other sources of information and assistance and advocacy when needed.

With access to Purdue Extension’s statewide resources and services, Indiana AgrAbility forms collaborative relationships with additional groups and functions as a coalition of partnerships.

Specialized educational initiative focuses on veterans where staff members provide training on topics from farming with a disability and assisting technology for agriculture workers to rural business accessibility and emergency preparedness for those with disabilities. The program also serves rural caregivers of people with disabilities through such things as care giving workshops, printed resources and the www.ruralcare.info website.